An Insider’s Guide to a Family & Eco-Friendly Holiday in Kerala

A member of the Brightsun team recently experienced an epic 5-day tour of Kerala with her family and has shared her memorable experiences from this trip.

Kerala, the jewel of the South, must be on your bucket list. Located on the southwestern coast of India, it is a tropical paradise known for its lush green landscapes, serene backwaters, and rich cultural heritage. After travelling here with family including children, I can recommend it as a very family friendly destination.

We started our 5-day tour in the vibrant city of Kochi. Kochi is packed with history; it has been invaded by the Chinese, Dutch, Jews, and British. One of the benefits the Chinese left to the Malayali people was their special fishing methods. They taught them how to catch more fish with huge fishing nets that were operated by a rope and a pulley system which they could use every few minutes, to catch many varieties of fish (including catfish, anchovies, and mullet) to sell in the markets. This is still used today, and has become a sightseeing highlight.

At the airport, our family of four was picked up in an air-conditioned SUV, spacious enough for all our luggage, with a lovely local English speaking tour guide called Dilip. We made a pitstop for lunch at the Taj Hotel in Kerala which exudes an aura of grandeur and sophistication, with a blend of traditional Indian aesthetics and contemporary design. At the hotel’s impressive lunch buffet, we indulged in authentic Kerala dishes that highlighted distinctive regional flavours, from aromatic seafood curries to vegetarian delicacies like avial (mixed vegetable curry) and olan (pumpkin and coconut stew).

We then set off to visit Paradesi Synagogue, one of the oldest active synagogues in the Commonwealth, followed by St. Francis Church, originally built in 1503, which is one of the oldest European churches in India. Our tour ended with a visit to Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, to admire its exquisite murals and artifacts.

In the evening we were treated to a beautiful sunset cruise, courtesy of the Brunton Boatyard hotel where we stayed overnight; this sprawling five-star retreat used to be the site of a Victorian shipyard, facing the serene backwaters.

The next morning we departed for a 4-hour drive away and up into the mountains to Munnar. The weather was noticeably cooler and mistier, despite it being during their summer in April. We stayed at the Windermere Estate, a remote family-style resort with 16 bungalows, hammocks, palm trees, banana leaf trees, and lots of wildlife including squirrels, frogs, and lizards. The main local attraction to visit (only 15 minutes’ drive away) was a tea factory and museum, surrounded by a tea plantation.

The guide’s talk at the factory was interesting when it focused on the nutrients and benefits of drinking tea and how to brew a perfect cuppa, however we would have liked to see the tea plantations outside and the process of making tea which wasn’t offered. The highlight was the historical video shown about the tea plantation, originally owned by the British, and now owned by the Keralan people whose ancestors were the workers ruled by the British.

Back at the Windemere Estate resort there was an evening tea tasting activity (another activity not offered at the museum which could have been included to improve the tourist experience), showing a variety of teas from mild white tea to dark black tea. My favourite was white tea as it’s not bitter and has a mild taste to it.

Later that afternoon, the hotel offered a complimentary hike through a cardamom plantation for two hours with a local guide, where we spotted a variety of animals including toads and lizards, plus a huge beehive, jackfruit, cashew nut, and mango trees, and breath-taking scenic hilltop views.

At dusk, we enjoyed a bonfire where the lovely and friendly local hotel staff showed us an ancient tool for how to give oxygen to a fire, to compliment the scene of the evening barbeque which was only starters! We had a scrumptious platter of paneer, pineapple, and vegetable kebabs along with the usual meat kebabs, followed by dinner with local produce at their restaurant, and a visit to the lovely library and games room upstairs for post dinner relaxation.

The next morning, we woke up at 6am to catch the sunrise over the mountains. You can climb to the top of a rock which takes about five minutes, then walk over a rickety wooden footbridge to a large solitary rock for a private, stunning, calm and peaceful sunrise view.

There are other activities to enjoy in Munnar which include admiring the Mattupetty Dam and serene Kundala Lake, exploring the Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and trekking to the stunning Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India.

Our next pit stop was to the coastal town of Kumarakom which was a 2-hour drive followed by a peaceful 15-minute boat ride on a lake to the resort. Despite the boat breaking down, in true Indian fashion a random engineer appeared within five minutes to fix it and we soon arrived at the most beautiful hotel called the Coconut Lagoon, set along the pristine beaches of Kovalam, in the lap of luxury by the Arabian Sea.

The sustainable landscaping of the hotel and the natural uses of materials are visible throughout, from the coconut-thatched roofs to the vegetable gardens used for seasonal meals on-site.

The family could enjoy children’s activities where you were taught how to make toys out of the leaves of palm trees. We were welcomed with scented jasmine garlands, fresh coconuts to drink out of with coconut water, soothing sounds of the Dhol drum, and a menu of complimentary activities including a tour of the butterfly garden and vegetable gardens, a sunset cruise, and yoga classes.

You could spend your day lounging at the pools here lined with coconut and palm trees, take a dip in the azure waters of the beach, and embark on a catamaran ride to explore the coastline.

We chose to indulge in Ayurvedic spa treatments, renowned for their rejuvenating properties, with a head, shoulder and neck massage. In the evening, after the most meditative sunset cruise accompanied by a traditional Indian flautist, we enjoyed a Kathakali dance performance before savouring the flavours of Kerala's seafood at a buffet dinner, with options to suit every requirement.

After a couple of evenings of pure bliss, we left the sandy shores of Kovalam behind to venture into the captivating backwaters of Alleppey (1-hour drive), often referred to as the "Venice of the East" for a private houseboat (traditional Kerala-style floating villa) tour. We were greeted by the friendly crew and settled into our sea view rooms which were equipped with modern amenities, and then shown around the boat which had 3 separate bedrooms, a relaxing lounge, an air conditioned dining room, plus two open air sun decks with sun loungers.

We began our cruise along the labyrinthine canals, fringed by swaying palm trees and emerald paddy fields along Vembanad Lake (the longest lake in India) and the Kerala backwaters. We were served a feast for lunch prepared by the skilled onboard chef including Keralan dishes like spicy fish curry, fragrant rice, and an assortment of vegetarian delicacies. After lunch, we lazed about on the houseboat's sun deck, soaking up the warm Kerala sunshine. For dinner, the chef prepared another sumptuous meal featuring a variety of local seafood specialties, such as prawns, crabs, and fish, cooked in traditional Kerala spices.

We moored overnight, and after a surprise storm with thunder, lightning and a very temporary power cut, the weather calmed again and we had a peaceful night sleep. We woke up to the gentle sounds of nature to enjoy a leisurely breakfast on board whilst the houseboat began to cruise again; my favourite meal was breakfast where we were treated to freshly made coconut pancakes.

At each location we visited, we chose to stay in the CGH Earth Hotels and Resorts, known for their commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism with eco-friendly practices such as rainwater harvesting, waste management, use of renewable energy sources, and preservation of local flora and fauna. By choosing to stay at these resorts, you contribute to the preservation of the natural environment, experience cultural immersion such as guided village walks to engage with local communities, and benefit from Wellness and Ayurveda including massages, yoga sessions, and meditation.

You will also be supporting responsible tourism as the hotels work closely with the local population, supporting community development projects and promoting fair trade practices. Plus, with their cuisines, they emphasise farm-to-table dining experiences, and often have their own organic gardens to source fresh, locally grown ingredients that help create delicious and healthy meals.

Our holiday to Kerala was packed with memories to last a lifetime, from picturesque landscapes to warm hospitality and unique cultural experiences where we immersed in nature and local life. To book this 5-night package that I experienced, or to discover other Kerala packages, call our tours team on 0208 819 0531 or check out our latest Kerala holiday offers at Brightsun.co.uk.